Jack and Jill Politics - Latest Comments in Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Nquest — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:10:00 -0000

Ronnie B,

It's a wonder and, yes, completely ironic that conservatives (or anybody) would both try to press the whole patriotism angle while at the same time questioning why Obama stayed in his church. The irony is that, when it comes to "staying" in a place where 'racism' abides, one would have to ask how come African Americans haven't left the USA en masse.

I mean, how come Black people continue to subject their children to that kind of environment? (Since conservatives are all-of-a-sudden so concerned about Black children... See Kiri Davis for details on the effect on Black kids.)

So the very line of thinking conservatives try to use to interrogate Obama really lends to the very thing that calls into question their phony attempt to question Black people's patriotism. How much more patriotic can you get to stay in a country and constantly insist that it do better when by their own logic Black people should have bounced a long time ago?

They need to make up their damn minds. Are they really for separatism or not? The "leave the church" logic says they're completely in support of Louis Farrakhan/NOI like BLACK SEPARATISM.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:41:00 -0000

I'm one who believes that most in the MSM cannot comprehend the bond that someone has with their church-home and the pastor thereof. But what I find even more disturbing is how so many on The Right, have bound their faith to their patriotism.

This is why people like Sean Hannity are so dangerous. They've come to believe that America is their church, and conservative patriotism is their god. It's no wonder that they won't try to understand why Barack Obama can reject the words, but not disown the church.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

jon — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 19:35:00 -0000

An interesting related article by Kate Sheppard on AlterNet: Are Evangelical Voters Abandoning the Republican Establishment?

One factoid: A new survey released last month by the Barna Group, the country's leading evangelical polling group, found that 40 percent of all "born again" adults who plan to vote in November said they would choose a Democratic candidate, while just 29 percent said they would vote for a Republican.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Craig Hickman — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:39:00 -0000

I don't know if anyone has linked this, a white male anti-racist who has done his work, but here you go:

Of National Lies and Racial Amnesia:

Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama, and the Audacity of Truth

For most white folks, indignation just doesn't wear well. Once affected or conjured up, it reminds one of a pudgy man, wearing a tie that may well have fit him when he was fifty pounds lighter, but which now cuts off somewhere above his navel and makes him look like an idiot.

Indignation doesn't work for most whites, because having remained sanguine about, silent during, indeed often supportive of so much injustice over the years in this country--the theft of native land and genocide of indigenous persons, and the enslavement of Africans being only two of the best examples--we are just a bit late to get into the game of moral rectitude. And once we enter it, our efforts at righteousness tend to fail the test of sincerity.

But here we are, in 2008, fuming at the words of Pastor Jeremiah Wright, of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago--occasionally Barack Obama's pastor, and the man whom Obama credits with having brought him to Christianity--for merely reminding us of those evils about which we have remained so quiet, so dismissive, so unconcerned. It is not the crime that bothers us, but the remembrance of it, the unwillingness to let it go--these last words being the first ones uttered by most whites it seems whenever anyone, least of all an "angry black man" like Jeremiah Wright, foists upon us the bill of particulars for several centuries of white supremacy.

But our collective indignation, no matter how loudly we announce it, cannot drown out the truth. And as much as white America may not be able to hear it (and as much as politics may require Obama to condemn it) let us be clear, Jeremiah Wright fundamentally told the truth.

Oh I know that for some such a comment will seem shocking. After all, didn't he say that America "got what it deserved" on 9/11? And didn't he say that black people should be singing "God Damn America" because of its treatment of the African American community throughout the years?

Well actually, no he didn't.

You Must Read The Rest

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

RhondaCoca — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:41:00 -0000

Pat Buchanan is a classic example of white ignorance and arrogance. How unfortunate!! The sad part is is that this is a common white conservative talking point in regard to blacks. They enjoy using selected history and memory instead of telling the truth. The really really unfortunate issue is that many misinformed and ignorant Americans will hear that and fall for it as they have been doing for many, many years.

As for the articles, the ones that interest me the most are the ones that argue on behalf of Rev.Wright rather than Obama for some reason. I find that a lot of people are answering the conservative and anti-Obama (Hillary supporters) talking points rather than giving real depth to the situation. Yes, religion has a lot to do with it definetly however I still feel that race is the biggy!!

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

justice58 — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:33:00 -0000

I have written MSNBC numerous times about Pat Buchanan, only to be ignored! MSNBC knows exactly how Pat Buchanan view blacks in this country! Hit their @ss in the pocketbook! Lets start going after the sponsers. They will get it then! We don't have to take this crap anymore. It's the money they love. Take away the money and you've hurt them big-time!

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

jelana — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:24:00 -0000

He is NUTS and he doesn't know history. Just another example
of looking at the world through

rose-colored glasses. He is such

a bigot. They need to take him off

MSNBC. What about the GREAT African civilizations! There is no telling how Africa would have turned out if MILLIONS were not captured and enslaved!

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:15:00 -0000

The central question surrounding Obama is one of judgment and experience.

He is elegant, eloquent, charming, intelligent, interesting, young and new.

But is he wise? Is he strong? Can he be manipulated or influenced?

It cannot be denied that this issue has raised legitimate concerns about Obama's judgment and experience.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Angela — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0000

Oh my! TPM posted this regarding what Pat Buchanan has written at his blog. This man is nuts.

"Pat Buchanan- "Slavery Brought You Black People To Christian Salvation"

By - March 22, 2008, 3:21PM

Pat has decided he just can't keep quiet about this whole racism thing anymore, so he had to blog about it.

What did he say? Some stuff that would make Barack's Grannie cringe, including

First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks.

It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave

ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to

Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and

prosperity blacks have ever known.

Wright ought to go down on his knees and thank God he is an American.

Second, no people anywhere has done more to lift up blacks than

white Americans. Untold trillions have been spent since the ’60s on

welfare, food stamps, rent supplements, Section 8 housing, Pell grants,

student loans, legal services, Medicaid, Earned Income Tax Credits and

poverty programs designed to bring the African-American community into

the mainstream.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 03:26:00 -0000

This is an interesting point, and one which needs to be discussed more.

At the least, this discussion about Obama's church has put an end to the "Obama is a Muslim" talk. NOT THAT IT SHOULD MATTER... but at least one more lie has been laid to rest.

Of Note: Susan Estrich - who worked on the Dukakis presidential campaign in 1988 and has endorsed Hillary Clinton - substituted for Alan Colmes on Hannity and Colmes a few ays ago. I believe it was on Thursday (3/20), during Yet Another Rev Wright discussion, she asked something along the lines of the following: "Obama keeps saying that Wright is like an uncle, but in fact, Wright is not Obama's uncle. Shouldn't Obama have the left Trinity Church?"

That's when I said, They don't get it. A church is not just a place where people meet on Sunday... or at least, that's not what real church is about. It's a place where people have a spiritual connection with each, and perhaps even an emotional one. It's a place of shared experiences. It's a community. It IS a family.

It's no coincidence that in black churches, people are called "Brother this" or "Sister that."

Estrich just doesn't seem to understand that connection. The cynic in me says that her support for Hillary may be clouding her judgement on this, but who knows.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Nichelle — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:46:00 -0000

Barack Obama means the end of The Right's dominance in the religious arena. He is the first openly and unapologetically Christian democrat on a national level. He refuses to run from his Christian faith. He speaks the language of the Christians who have ushered in Republican dominance in the south and in the swing states like Ohio and Missouri.

This guy may be on to something. Obama HAS made Democrats/liberals uncomfortable with his Christianity and it is true that his lack of hatred of Christians and/or Republicans has long been noticed.

I remember Obama getting criticized by some Democrats when he gave his Call to Renewal speech two years ago.

http://obama.senate.gov/podcast/060628-call_to_renewal_1/

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Angela — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:38:00 -0000

Dear Sen. Kerry;

I know you endorsed Sen. Obama who I am supporting as the Democratic nominee. As you must know, many of us are very concerned about this on-going fight with Sen. Clinton. It is very negative and I believe splitting the party. In any case, I'm writing to you because of the recent Washington Post Fact Checker regarding Clinton's claim she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire. If you haven't read it the Fact Checker basically discounts her "story."

Here is a snippet. "Sniper Fire, and Holes In Clinton's Recollection

Hillary Clinton has been regaling supporters on the campaign trail with hair-raising tales of a trip she made to Bosnia in March 1996. In her retelling, she was sent to places that her husband, President Bill Clinton, could not go because they were "too dangerous." When her account was challenged by one of her traveling companions, the comedian Sinbad, she upped the ante and injected even more drama into the story. In a speech earlier this week, she talked about "landing under sniper fire" and running for safety with "our heads down."

My first thought is she just gave the Republicans their "swiftboat ad" against her.

How can she go forward now with any credibility to become Commander in Chief especially against Sen. McCain? Isn't there a military code of honor about truth telling when it comes to war time experiences? The other side must be besides themselves hoping they will get this gem to play over and over again. Hillary dodging "imagined bullets" when no-one on that trip with her can vouch for her story! One person on the trip said he remembers their biggest concern was where they would eat!! It would seem to me that the people who were with her wouldn't have been able to forget they were being shot at? I'm boggled at her judgment in using such a story to enhance her experience.

I'm praying that you and others supporting Sen. Obama will see that the Democratic party needs to unite behind Senator Obama. For the super delegates to overlook the situation Sen. Clinton has now placed herself in by using such a story to enhance her experience is irresponsible.

Sincerely,

Angela Patterson

cc: Jack and Jill politics

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Ms.Martin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:03:00 -0000

McCain is on with Hannity today talking about Wrighth and some other scanddal Hannity is trying to cook up about someone name Ayers.

I wish Hannity would internally combust. He's a fool.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Anonymous — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:47:00 -0000

There is no doubt the Republicans and the far right are afraid of Obama. They know that he can rearrange the politics in his favor just like Reagan did to the Republicans favor in 1980.

It's interesting that there is an article in the NYT about how Obama's speech is inspiring so many sermons this Easter. What other candidate could do this?

Obama elevates our thinking and being; that's what we need in this country, and something we haven't had for a very long time.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Kat — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 22:45:00 -0000

Dang.

I had never thought about it in that way. But it does help to explain why Sean Hannity seems to be on the verge of a total on air meltdown any minute now.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Anonymous — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:12:00 -0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOsGo_HWP-c
h... it out!

Will this get any media play!?

Of course not.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

rikyrah — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:05:00 -0000

If you can, drop over to PoliticalInaction and drop a little thank you to Brian Francis. I just found it a few weeks ago.